very,' began
Allan. 'The first question is, have you showed the order to Pater or
Mother already, Hamish?'

'Not yet,' said Hamish.

'Well, then,' said Allan, 'we've got to make up our minds whether we'd
better do it or not.'

Hamish looked astonished.

'I don't see how there can be any doubt about that,' he began. 'Surely
it's the very first----'

Marjorie, Allan, and Reggie were all looking at each other.

'We couldn't possibly keep back evidence like this,' pursued Hamish.

Marjorie's and Reggie's eyes were saying 'Don't tell them.'

Allan pushed his hair back from his forehead, thrust his hands into his
pockets, and then turned to Hamish again.

'We've got to think of a lot of things in an affair like this,' he
said. 'For instance----'

'It seems to me there's only one way of looking at it,' replied Hamish,
his slow voice becoming steadier. 'You've got an important piece of
evidence which may prove the turning-point of the case, and you don't
even tell your father and mother.'

'_I_ think Hamish is in the right,' broke in Tricksy's little voice.

A glance from Reggie caused her to quail and Allan turned upon Hamish.

'Now, Hamish, old fellow, don't you jolly well make an ass of yourself.
We find ourselves in this predic.; either we've got to shut up about
this valuable find, or have the police poking about the island when
they're not wanted.'

'We've all three voted against you, so you are in a minority, Hamish,'
broke in Marjorie, her voice sharp with vexation.

Hamish became very red, and looked at them steadily.

'I can't act contrary to the wishes of the majority,' he said, since
we've made a Compact; but I wish to say that I think you are making a
great mistake and that I think we shall all have cause to regret what
you are doing.'

There was no reply since none could be made, and the meeting closed in
an uncomfortable silence.

'Tear, tear,' they heard Duncan's voice saying in irritable tones
outside the door; 'what will hev become of ahl ta young ladies and
gentlemen? They will ahl pe away just at ta ferry time when they will
be wanted. They will pe after some nonsense. I will ahlways pe the
mosst afraid when they are ferry quiet when Mr. Allan will pe with
them. He iss so sensible and wiselike, iss Mr. Allan, that when he
finds mischiefs for them to do they will ahlways pe the ferry worst
kinds of mischief, whateffer.'

CHAPTER XI

A NEAR SHAVE

They all trooped ou